Tourism in Oman

Oman has one of the most diverse environments in the Middle East with various tourist attractions and it's particularly well known for Cultural tourism. The capital of Oman has been named the Second Best City to visit in the world in 2012 by the the travel guide publisher Lonely Planet. Muscat also was chosen as the Capital of Arab Tourism of 2012.

Attractions

Beaches

Oman is lined with the most amazing beaches. The beaches are some of the best in the gulf. Activity for beach visitors include sunning, swimming,Kitesurfing, diving, snorkeling, boating, surfing, beach combing and shell collecting.

'The Intercon Beach' faces Muscat Intercontinental Hotel and extends two km to Crowne Plaza hotel. This beach is ideal for family outings, morning walks or a jog in evening. The beach is lined with restaurants, snack bars and cafes. The Qurum beach allows entrance barbecuing. At Qantab beach local fishermen will offer to take you fishing or for a boat ride and at Bandar Jissah beach the view of the rocky coastline is just fabulous. The drive to Yitti beach through hilly terrain will lead to a fishing village with winding dirt track that lead to the beach through a long shallow cove. At the beach fishermen are busy at work but there is still ample room for any kind of beach activity. You can wade in the shallows or investigate the shell encrusted outcrops along the shore.

The popular Al Sawadi Beach Resort is about an hour west from Muscat. The resort offers dives, snorkeling, speedboat rides, water scooters, temperature controlled swimming pool and Jacuzzi. The coast beyond Quriyat can be reached by driving southeast on a four wheel drive. There are a variety of beaches between rocky outcrop, the most prominent being Mokallah (also known as White Beach). This spot is very popular for overnight camping on the shore and it is excellent for snorkeling.

Kitesurfing in Muscat is now becoming very popular due to the daily sea breeze effect and large white sanded beaches and fanastic coastlines Oman has to offer. Kitesurfing lessons are given on Alzaiba beach in the city.

Kite Surfing

Oman offers world class kitesurfing Conditions, due to the daily sea breeze effect. Muscat city offers clean safe conditions for learning to kitesurf. Alzaiba Beach is the hot spot for kite surfing and kitesurfing lessons. There are only One Kite school located within the heart of Muscat city. The schools here specializing in kite surfing services and offer a complete range of kitesurf courses, kite surfing equipment, lessson activities plans. The kite school has qualified International Kitesurfing Instructors. Kite surf qualification(IKO)is issued for every student.

Turtle, dolphin and bird watching

Several species of turtles living for over 100 years swim the length and breadth of the Indian Ocean and return every year to lay their eggs on the beaches of Ras al Hadd, Ras Al Junayz and Masirah island.

Dolphins frequent the seas of the Oman on a regular basis and can be seen in close proximity to the coast. Whales can also be found swimming in the waters of Oman, albeit less frequently, in particular the Humpback and the Orca. Fahal Island is a good site to spot dolphins in hundreds roaming around or following the tuna. Spinner, Common and some Bottlenose dolphins are the main types. Orcas playing round the island have also been reported. Trips are normally carried out using traditional Omani fishing boats in early morning and at sunset.

Oman is increasingly becoming a significant destination for bird watching. More than 460 different bird species have been recorded in Oman, out of which, 80 species have been classified as resident, while the rest are migrant and seasonal species. Oman offers a unique opportunity to watch birds from Europe, Africa and Asia in one spot during their annual migrations in Spring and Autumn. These migratory periods coincide with the cooler weather between October and April. Some of the common resident species one expects to see within or around Muscat include: Herons (Striated and Western Reef), Ospreys, Swift Term, Laughing Doves, Egyptian Vultures, and Indian Roller. Common Migrant and seasonal species include: Cattle Egret, Little Stint, Greater Flamingo, Caspian Gull, Spotted Flycatcher, Grey Heron, Dunlin, Sandwich Tern, Red and Green shanks, Ruff and White Wagtail.

There is a massive array of bird watching sites in other parts of the country. Eagles are popular in Musandam. Arabian Oryx Sanctuary in Al-Wusta Region provides an excellent opportunity to watch desert species, notably Spotted Sand Grouse, Golden Eagle and Houbara Bustard. Masirah Island is the home of thousands of birds especially in the winter such as Greater Flamingo, Seagulls, Terns and Herons. Dhofar with its diverse terrain and monsoon rains is a true paradise for birds particularly African species.